Domestic Pets

The decree published July 19, 2002 in the Official Journal of August 2, 2002 (in the Ministry of Agriculture section), sets the rules for importing and trading carnivore pets (dogs, cats, ferrets), from a third country outside the European Union, to France and its overseas departments (Guadeloupe, St Barthe, St Martin, Guyana, Martinique and the Reunion Island).

In effect as of August 3, 2002, the regulations allow for the transportation of up to 5 animals from the United States to or via France, under the following conditions:

The animal must be at least 3 months old (otherwise, it must be accompanied by its mother);

The animal must either have an identification tattoo or an ISO 11784 ID chip (if the chip is not of this model, the traveler should provide the relevant scanner capable of reading it);

A veterinary certificate proving the animal is in good health – filled out and signed by a USDA-certified veterinary (a list of certified vets can be found here) – is to accompany the animal. It is highly recommended to prepare the form several days before your departure. This certificate is valid for 4 months once the veterinary signs and dates it, during which the animal may enter France. Useful informations are available on the USDA website (United States Department of Agriculture)

PLEASE NOTE: A blood test (counting antibodies against rabies) is no longer required for animals coming from the United States and Canada.